LEARN AND
GROW
HIT Scotland Scholarships
HIT Scotland empowers development through its scholarship programme which is open to anyone working in or studying towards a career in the Scottish hospitality industry.
A HIT Scotland scholarship is a learning experience, designed to give you new skills or knowledge, to experience best practice, or refresh your way of thinking. The content of each scholarship varies depending on your personal development objectives, and the scholarship you have applied for.
We will also ask you in return for the scholarship, to show support back through HIT Scotland, to allow us to continue to provide scholarships. Scholars and their companies can opt to do this in a variety of ways, things like attending HIT events, or providing prizes for auctions and raffles. The choice is yours!
Our scholarships are split into three different categories - Business empowerment, Operational empowerment and Inspirational empowerment. Look at the categories below and click MORE to read about the different scholarships within that category, and learn what you need to put in your application.
Remember to read our application guidance document before you apply for a HIT Scotland scholarship
You can only apply for one scholarship
Scholarship applications for 2025
CLOSED
Thanks to
Special Awards
Chris Rouse Scholarship and Graeme Gibson Scholarship
HIT Scotland will be choosing two individuals each year to receive a special award of an additional learning experience, in addition to their scholarship.
Chris Rouse
HIT Scotland began a scholarship in Chris Rouse’s name in 2019 in memory of the former GM of the Turnberry Hotel who was known for developing the highest standards for his guests and inspiring the best from his team, and was responsible for the transformation of the hotel into a world-leading luxury spa and golf resort. The Chris Rouse Scholarship will be awarded to someone working in the Ayrshire area, who we believe shows the same enthusiasm for their career.
Graeme Gibson
2023 saw the first Graeme Gibson Scholarship. Graeme was a most popular General Manager and he worked in many of the top establishments across Scotland. It was his dry sense of humour, his commitment to quality and above all, his strong belief in developing people that engaged him in so many positive activities. The winner of the Graeme Gibson Scholarship will come from the Greater Glasgow area and will be an emerging Young Manager who shows great potential for the future within the industry.
Each winner will receive four hour long sessions with an Executive Coach, to help them work on their personal and career development. Tailored to their own needs, this mentor will help them maximise their impact and performance, looking at areas of improvement to help them be the best version of themselves, and excel within their role in hospitality.
The Lisa Wishart Scholarship
Lisa Wishart
2024 saw the beginning of a new scholarship opportunity in memory of Lisa Wishart, the MD of the Lisini Pub Company who sadly passed away in 2023. Lisa was an inspirational leader who ran a thriving hospitality company, and was a great ambassador for the trade. Lisa believed that their staff contributed greatly to the company’s success, she understood the value of finding the right team to work for you, and treating them as a family, so it is fitting to provide this development opportunity in her name.
Licensed trade employees should apply for a scholarship as normal, and HIT Scotland will select an applicant who they believe shows the same passion for the industry as Lisa did, to be named our Lisa Wishart Scholar.
Thanks go to Susan Young at the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards for naming HIT Scotland as their charity partner, with the donations on the night funding this new scholarship.
Scholarship Categories
BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT
Business Empowerment Scholarships cover a range of management development opportunities, from those just starting out in a supervisory role, to senior managers. There are a variety of people management and leadership scholarships to help you to develop your career in hospitality.
OPERATIONAL EMPOWERMENT
Operational Empowerment Scholarships can equip you with many specific craft and core skills to grow your career in hospitality. From sales and revenue, to food and drink. Let us know what you need and together we will find the right fit.
INSPIRATIONAL
EMPOWERMENT
An Inspirational Empowerment Scholarship encourages you to be creative and motivates you to develop. This is the time for you to inspire us so let us know what you need personally to excel in your career in hospitality and we will help you to find the right opportunity.
Application guidance
Find out how to apply for a scholarship here. You can find out - who can apply, how to choose a scholarship, how to apply and what information we need from you. We will tell you the important dates you need to know, and explain any terms and conditions.
Read this before you apply!
Stories
Some of our previous scholars tell us about their scholarship and what they learned
Mental Health and Resilience Courses
Customer
Experience
Scholarship
Craft
Scholarships
People Management
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Sales
Scholarship
Drinks
Scholarships
Lausanne
Leadership
Scholarship
Bespoke Scholarship
Applications for 2025 CLOSED
"My HIT scholarship helped me get a promotion. The management skills I learned have been hugely useful in dealing with my team."
Scott Lyle, Management 1st Scholar
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